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A large-scale illegal occupation of government residences has been uncovered in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi, with thousands of properties occupied without authorisation.
The revelation came during a National Assembly session, where Federal Minister for Housing Riaz Pirzada presented a detailed written reply.
According to the minister, since 2024, 742 government residences in Islamabad and Lahore have been under illegal occupation, while in Karachi, the figure stands at around 3,500.
The illegal occupation of government residences has persisted despite cabinet directives issued on April 26, 2024, ordering the evacuation of such properties.
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Pirzada informed lawmakers that 742 residences in Islamabad and Lahore were vacated in collaboration with the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the State Office. In Karachi, 700 residences have been reclaimed since 2019, with Rs 40 million recovered from illegal occupants during this period.
Efforts to clear the properties continue, with authorities vacating 10 to 15 houses in Karachi daily. The minister emphasised that the government is determined to enforce property regulations and ensure that only authorised officials occupy state-provided residences.
The scale of the illegal occupation highlights long-standing enforcement gaps and misuse of public property, prompting calls for stricter oversight, faster eviction processes, and more severe penalties for violators.
